[soonercruiser]

"sort"....or "restored"???
My territory!!
How many other missing teeth do you have?
Is it the second or third molar (wisdom tooth as Hooligan mentions).
If it's a third molar (wisdom tooth), there is no overwhelming practical reason to save it.
If it's a second molar, and you are older (50s +), or there is no opposing tooth, it may not be missed very much in your chewing...unless its an anchor tooth for a partial denture.
If you are already missing some back teeth, it may be important to save.
The dentist should have explained the importance of the tooth; and the irsk (long-term prognosis for that tooth); versus the investment & benefit.
These days, there are plenty of places to get the tooth out and place an implant, versus put a fortune into a root canal and crown.
Ask good questions. Think it through, in your "full" circumstances.